Lobby > Head Amps, DACs, Sources, Portable Equipment Discussion
Tubes, Tubes, Tubes -- Resources for Rollers!
gurubhai:
I'll be keeping an eye on this thread as well for 6SN7/6CG7/ECC82/6080 recommendations for my upcoming DIY amp. Keep it rolling!
dBel84:
I am afraid that I don't keep "tasting notes" but a couple of gems from times past that come to mind :
12AU7 variants:
GE 6080
RFT ECC82
GE 5963
edit :: how could I forget the philips miniwatt 12au7
Noval variants of 6SN7
RCA clear top 6CG7 / 6FQ7
6SN7/12SN7:
Tari's Mullard ECC32
BL63 is similar to above but needs an adapter and has a MUCH higher heater current demand than even the ECC32. Alex modified the LGs power supply just before it went into production to be able to handle this tube.
Sylvania GT ( 1950's ) including the JAN VT231
CBS / Hytron long tube versions - also 50's production.
Happy surprises
Coin base sylvanias - often cheap and very similar to the 50's GT
The following are links to a few useful threads out there
The Reference 6SN7 Thread http://www.head-fi.org/t/117677/the-reference-6sn7-thread
The 6SN7 Identification Guide http://www.head-fi.org/t/209782/the-6sn7-identification-guide
6SN7 Tube Addicts http://www.head-fi.org/t/479031/6sn7-tube-addicts
Toob Madness Or The 6SN7 Zoo http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0304/6sn7.htm
BRENT JESSEE http://www.audiotubes.com/6dj8.htm
Joe's Tube Lore on audioasylum http://www.audioasylum.com/scripts/d.pl?audio/faq/joes-tubes.html
I am sure there are plenty more out there too .
My biggest problem with people describing tubes is that most amp topologies differ and thus people are describing tubes under significantly different conditions and it is a far cry to extrapolate from one person's experience running a 6SN7 at 200V with 5mA bias to another running the same tube at 350V with 15mA bias. Not to mention design differences in amps - transformer coupled, cap coupled, hybrid , B+ that is regulated or choke filtered ......... I think you see my point.
..dB
Ringingears:
I have purchased several tubes from Jim McShane. Always have been satisfied with the quality and all are tested beforehand. Lots of differents types.
http://www.mcshanedesign.net/tubes.htm
Valentin Hogea:
My 6SL7-findings...
Mullard ECC35 Tall Black Base 50's-60's
Bass quality: 5/5
Bass quantity: 5/5
Mids quality: 5/5
Mids quantity: 4/5
Treble quality: 5/5
Treble quantity: 4/5
Imaging: 5/5
Sound stage: 5/5 Deep, wide and tall
Price: 240-300 USD
In short: Best so far. Truly fantastic. If you only need one for your amp. This is it.
Mullard ECC35 Short Brown Base 50's-60's
Bass quality: 5/5
Bass quantity: 4/5
Mids quality: 5/5
Mids quantity: 5/5
Treble quality: 5/5
Treble quantity: 3/5
Imaging: 4,5/5
Sound stage: 5/5 Deep, wide and tall
Price: 240-300 USD
In short: A bit more muddy/warm than the Tall Black Bottle ones. Maybe a bit more "high-end" Leben-ish. Unmodded HD800 / Bright headphones overall I'd say
Ken-Rad VT-229 Tall Black Base 40's
Bass quality: 4/5
Bass quantity: 4/5
Mids quality: 4/5
Mids quantity: 3/5
Treble quality: 4/5
Treble quantity: 3/5
Imaging: 4/5
Sound stage: 4/5 Somewhat smaller than the above
Price: 100-120 USD
In short: A bit more refined than the RCA one, but not that big of difference.
RCA VT-220 Tal Black Base 40's
Bass quality: 3,5/5
Bass quantity: 4/5
Mids quality: 4/5
Mids quantity: 3/5
Treble quality: 4/5
Treble quantity: 3/5
Imaging: 4/5
Sound stage: 4/5 Somewhat smaller than the above
Price: 70-100 USD
In short: Very similar to the Ken-Rad one. Good all-round tube.
Valentin Hogea:
My findings on 6AK5-type tubes:
http://www.headfonia.com/high-octane-fuel-for-the-pan-am-a-tube-rollers-notes/3/
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